FIVE Chelsea players are doubts for Crystal Palace game

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Oct 17, 2014

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that five of Chelsea’s key players could miss the trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow as they are all injury doubts. Chelsea lost this fixture 1-0 last season and could head to Selhurst Park without Premier League top goal scorer Diego Costa.

The star striker played in both of Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifiers during the international break and Mourinho insists the forward needs to be assessed before Saturday. The Portuguesse tactitian has also confirmed that Andre Schurrle, John Obi Mikel, Didier Drogba and Ramires are also doubts for the all London clash.

When quizzed about any injury concerns for Saturday’s game Mourinho said, ‘“A few, I want to wait until tomorrow. But we have some problems, yes. “A few, I want to wait until tomorrow. But we have some problems, yes.”

With the potential absence of Diego Costa will Loic Remy finally be able to show Chelsea fans what he is capable of?

Written by Ben Waterhouse – @BenWaterhouse_

Arsenal to swoop for Celtic defender?

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 17, 2014

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Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger, has major injury concerns with his biggest headache in defence.

Laurent Koscielny (achilles), Mathieu Debuchy (ankle) and Calum Chambers (suspended) are all unavailable for this weekends clash with Hull City, meaing nine first team players in total are unavailable for the game.

The long-term fitness of Koscielny is the biggest worry, and Wenger will be looking to reinforce his back line when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Talking about Koscielny: ‘It has got worse, he finds it difficult to play with at the moment,’ said Wenger, who added that the French international does not require surgery.

‘If you wait for it to be better, it can be a short time. If you want to get rid of it completely, it is long term.

‘We will monitor him and as soon as he can take enough pain again he will play.’

During Arsenal’s AGM this week, Wenger confirmed that they would be looking to sign a central defender in the New Year.

Virgil van Dijk has impressed during his time at Celtic Park, and the 23-year-old almost signed for the Gunners in the summer. Arsenal are again interested and are considering a £7million swoop for the Dutch under-21 star.

During the AGM on Thursday, there were some difficult questions for the Arsenal board to address:

‘Don’t let’s be in a muddle about who calls the shots about football at Arsenal,’ said Sir Chips Keswick, the Arsenal chairman. ‘It is not the fans, it is not the chairman, it is Mr Arsene Wenger. If he has a plan, we back him. If he doesn’t have a plan, we keep quiet.’

Keswick was replying to a question from Nigel Payne, a fan and shareholder, who was baffled by the failure to buy after the summer sale of Thomas Vermaelen. To significant applause, Payne said ‘heaven knows what will happen in the current absence through injury of Koscielny’.

We will see what happens over the coming months, but given the signings Wenger made in the Summer, and a squad-bolstering on the cards in January, Arsenal could well be building something special. They just need to agree overtime terms with the already much-worked medical team.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777

https://twitter.com/MichaelHorne777

Neil Warnock was offered Chelsea job in 1992

By

Alex Batt

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Oct 17, 2014

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Neil Warnock has revealed that he was offered the Chelsea managerial job back in 1992 when Ken Bates was in charge.

Now boss at Crystal Palace, Warnock is preparing to face Chelsea at Selhurst Park this weekend, and he has revealed the conversations he had with Bates back in the early 90s and has admitted that the head-job at Stamford Bridge was offered to him.

The 65-year-old decided to retire from football after his spell at Leeds United, but once Palace fired Tony Pulis, a return to football was on the cards as Warnock eyed another role with The Eagles.

Speaking ahead of the match with Chelsea, Warnock revealed all about his conversations with Bates and that he was offered the chance to manage Chelsea back in the dark days at The Bridge.

“I got the Chelsea job offered to me. Stamford Bridge was falling to pieces but Ken came out with this model of the ground with skyscrapers and hotels,” Warnock told The Daily Telegraph.

“Ken said: ‘This will be it in five years.’ I said: ‘Ken, do you honestly think I’ll be here in five years working for you?’ He laughed his head off. Ken was good company.

“I was tempted by Chelsea but I’ve always been a bit loyal, daft as it sounds. I was at Notts County, I took the lads up from bottom of the Third Division in those days to the top flight in two years.

“It was a miracle really. They all came to see me and their families. So I said: ‘OK I’ll stop here.’ Six months later I got the sack!”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

If you want Vlaar…it’s £12million. Villa tell United

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 17, 2014

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If Manchester United want Ron Vlaar in January, they are going to have to find £12million for the World Cup star.

The Dutch defender, who has been linked with joining his former national team manager, Louis van Gaal, at Old Trafford over the summer, has less than a year left on his current deal at Villa Park.

According to ESPN, United are keen to strengthen their defense when the transfer window re-opens, following the departures of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand over the summer. Although the Red Devils appear to be finding a little more consistency of late, the defence has been heavily criticised since the start of the new season.

Having starred for Holland at the World Cup, finishing in a respectable third-place, Van Gaal is reportedly making Vlaar one of his top priorities.

Born in North Holland into a sporting family, Vlaar played for AZ and Feyenoord in the Netherlands before joining Aston Villa in 2012, and was immediately made captain for the season.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777

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Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool now have Bayern competing for Marco Reus

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 17, 2014

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Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign Marco Reus from Dortmund. Karl-Heinz Rummenigger is reportedly keeping tabs on the wantaway star.

Reus has a £28million buyout clause in his current contract, and that sort of money is not going to detract the big guns of Europe, and he will be free to leave in the summer.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has so far stalled on any new contract which has attracted lots of interest from England. Now Bayern are in the race.

Bayern chairman, Rummenigger, has been talking about the potential move for Reus:

‘If a German international has an exit clause and his contract is running out, Bayern is obliged to think about him’, he told Sport 1.

‘With Marco Reus, his release clause is known.

‘Whether we deal with it, I cannot seriously predict. We’ve talked too little internally about the subject.

‘There are many great clubs from other countries who would be interested in signing Marco Reus.

‘Of course they (Dortmund) will try to extend his contract. But at the end of the day the player will decide what he wants.’

Reus was selected in last year’s ‘UEFA Champions League Team of the Season’ and would surely grace the Premiership if that becomes a reality.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777

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Manchester United keen on Ryan Shawcross

By

Alex Batt

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Oct 17, 2014

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Manchester United are showing interest in Stoke City defender, Ryan Shawcross, and may make a formal bid in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old, who actually started his career at Old Trafford, eventually left United for Stoke and has since gone on to become one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League, and his performances have caught the eye of Louis Van Gaal, who is desperate to fix his defence.

Despite spending over £150million in the Summer, United failed to address their weak defence and therefore have already started looking for options in January with; Mats Hummels, Ron Vlaar and now Shawcross, all on their list.

According to reports, Van Gaal believes the Englishman is a solid option and could be brought for a fair price.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

David De Gea to sign new contract at Old Trafford

By

Alex Batt

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Oct 17, 2014

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Spaniard close to agreeing £120k-a-week contract

Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, is close to agreeing a new contract at Old Trafford, worth £120k-a-week, snubbing the interest from Spanish giants, Real Madrid.

The Spaniard has been drastically improving since his move from Atletico Madrid a few years ago, and his consistent performances have caught the eye of Real, who are keen on finding an Iker Casillas replacement, who is nearing the end of his career.

Despite Carlo Ancelotti confirming that Casillas will be staying at the Bernabeu, the Italian is still in the market for a new ‘keeper for the future, and De Gea is his number-one target according to reports.

However, according to reports in Spain, De Gea has already agreed a new five-year deal in Manchester, and has doubled his weekly-wage in the process.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool lining up January transfer swoop for Hoffenheim duo

By

Steve Osborne

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Oct 16, 2014

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Reds taking a look at Firmino and Volland to boost their attacking options

Liverpool are lining up a double transfer swoop in January, for Hoffenheim duo Kevin Volland and Roberto Firmino.

The Reds have struggled for goals this season, with new signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failing to find the net consistently.

Now they may turn their attentions to Hoffenheim for a potential double signing.

Firmino has 31 goals in 107 league games for the club, in a free role. Volland scored nine goals last term, and just missed out on a spot in the German World Cup squad.

Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rose told German TV channel Sport1:

“I am relatively confident they will stay. The possibility of a farewell is not something that concerns us in the short term.

“Sometimes a sale is inevitable, but this is not the case”.

Steve Osborne @SteveOsborne23

Is Okazaki London bound?

By

Joseph Richardson

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Oct 16, 2014

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Japanese international Shinji Okazaki is linked with Arsenal and Spurs

Japan striker Shinji Okazaki could be on his way to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool supposedly interested.

The forward, who plays in the Bundesliga for Mainz, has already scored 5 goals in 6 league games this season.

Some Premier League scouts have attended recent Mainz games, and will have been impressed by Okazaki’s eye for goal.

He played every minute of Japan’s winless World Cup campaign in the summer, scoring a superb header against Colombia.

Tottenham continue to struggle for goals and Okazaki could be the solution, though Arsenal looks the most likely destination if any.

Okazaki is priced at around £8 million, but that could be reduced with just two years left on his current contract.

By Joseph Richardson

@Jj147Joseph

Arsenal in contention to get Callejon on cheap

By

Joseph Richardson

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Oct 16, 2014

0

The Napoli winger could be up for sale in January

Arsenal are linked with a move for Jose Callejon after Napoli revealed they could let the attacker go for a mere £16 million.

This is despite the Italian club having rejected bids in excess of £25 million, from both Liverpool and Chelsea, in the previous transfer window.

The former Real Madrid man is said to be unsettled at the club, and Rafa Benitez has stated he doesn’t want any players in his squad who aren’t totally committed to the cause.

This could pave way for Callejon to be transferred in January, with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid among other clubs interested.

A move to the Emirates could be on the cards with Arsenal’s strong existing contingent of Spanish players, including Callejon’s close pal Santi Cazorla.

Callejon signed for Napoli last year for £8 million and has a decent scoring record of 20 goals from his 52 games in all competitions.

By Joseph Richardson

@Jj147Joseph

Chelsea agree loan partnership with Besiktas

By

Steve Osborne

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Oct 16, 2014

0

Chelsea have agreed a lucrative partnership with Turkish side Besiktas.

The partnership will see the Turks, who signed Demba Ba from the Blues this summer, able to loan in some of the Blues highest-earning players.

Besiktas board member Erdal Torunogullari recently made a trip to the Chelsea academy to discuss the agreement, roughly when Besiktas visited Tottenham in the Europa League.

Torunogullari revealed the deal will involve close co-operation between the first teams, academies, training support and scouting projects.

Chelsea have 26 players loaned out across Europe, and have a link-up with Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands, where Wallace, Bertrand Traore and Josh McEachran are currently on loan.

Steve Osborne @SteveOsborne23

Monaco star in shock move to Chelsea?

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 16, 2014

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Lucas Ocampos on Blues radar in potential £25million deal

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is said to be keen to sign Argentinian starlet, Lucas Ocampos, one of the most talented young stars in Europe.

According to reports, Chelsea have started work on drawing up a deal that will bring the Monaco forward to Stamford Bridge.

It is thought Monaco would want at least £25million for his signature.

The 20-year-old from Buenos Aires made his debut for River Plate at the tender age of 17, quickly establishing himself in the first team. After making a dramatic impression in South America he moved to the French League in 2012 after he caught the eye of the scouts at Monaco.

A lightning-fast player, who can play on either wing or up front, Ocampos is known for his deceptive dribbling and quick footwork. He is also blessed with great technique and posseses a strong shot with either foot. At 6’2″ he is also a dangerous threat from set plays.

Written by Michael Horne
Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777
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No Anfield return for Origi in January

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 16, 2014

0

Divock Origi will not be returning to his new club, Liverpool in January. The 19-year-old Belgium striker was bought by the Anfield club in the summer, but loaned straight back to Lille in France for the remainder of the season.

With Liverpool struggling up front so far this term, the Merseysiders approached Lille to allow Origi to cut short his loan spell and join up with his new team-mates at Melwood in January.

Mario Balotelli has made a widely-documented slow start to his Anfield career, and with Daniel Sturridge only just about to return to the first team after missing seven games through injury, Brendan Rodgers is keen to bolster his attacking options.

Jean-Michel Vandamme, a Lille director, has been quoted as saying: ‘It’s impossible. He will stay here until June’.

The young World Cup star has made an impressive start to the Ligue 1 campaign and Rodgers is keeping a close eye on him.

Despite the Red’s optimism earlier in the week, it seems the flight to the North West will stay on the runway until the end of the season.

Written by Michael Horne

Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777

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Chelsea to battle with Real Madrid for South American star!

By

Michael Horne

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Oct 16, 2014

0

Lucas Silva on European giants radar

According to reports, Real Madrid are extremely interested in bringing Brazilian Lucas Silva to the Bernabeu.

With the expected departure of Sami Khedira from the Spanish capital seemingly on the cards, Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for a box to box defensive midfielder to replace him.

Rumours suggest that the Real boss will be prepared to pay up to 15 million Euros to secure the Brazilian under-20 star.

The deep lying midfielder is one of the hottest properties in South American football right now, and has played in 19 top flight games for Cruzeiro, helping them to the top of the Brazilian domestic table.

Reports now indicate that Chelsea are also monitoring the young starlet’s progress, but will have to fight it out with their previous boss for any potential signing.

This could get interesting!

Mourinho v Ancelotti………seconds out……………

Written by Michael Horne
Follow me on Twitter @MichaelHorne777
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Chelsea and Manchester United to wait on Paul Pogba

By

Ben Reardon

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Oct 16, 2014

0

Midfielder continuing talks with current club, Juventus

Chelsea and Manchester United are both set to wait on Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, as he discusses a new contract.

The France international has impressed whilst in Turin, with Manchester United and Chelsea both lining up bids should he not pen a new deal at Juventus.

Pogba, aged 21, has been in Italy for two years having signed for the Serie A title holders from Manchester United in the summer of 2012, with United now keen to get him back at Old Trafford.

However, Juventus are now desperate to tie down the player, who has two years remaining on his current deal.

But both Chelsea and United are willing to wait upon a pending decision, with Jose Mouinho also interested in taking the higly-rated youngster to West London in the near future.

Pogba’s agent, Walid Ben Zefti cleared up the situation to the Italian press, by stating: ‘Paul is happy in Turin, the negotiations for the renewal are underway, they could take a long time just as they could be closed very quickly, we’ll see.

‘It depends on several things, not just the money.’

By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1

SillySeason.com

FIVE Chelsea players are doubts for Crystal Palace game

Arsenal to swoop for Celtic defender?

Neil Warnock was offered Chelsea job in 1992

If you want Vlaar…it’s £12million. Villa tell United

Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool now have Bayern competing for Marco Reus

Manchester United keen on Ryan Shawcross

David De Gea to sign new contract at Old Trafford

Spaniard close to agreeing £120k-a-week contract

Liverpool lining up January transfer swoop for Hoffenheim duo

Reds taking a look at Firmino and Volland to boost their attacking options

Is Okazaki London bound?

Japanese international Shinji Okazaki is linked with Arsenal and Spurs

Arsenal in contention to get Callejon on cheap

The Napoli winger could be up for sale in January

Chelsea agree loan partnership with Besiktas

Monaco star in shock move to Chelsea?

Lucas Ocampos on Blues radar in potential £25million deal

No Anfield return for Origi in January

Chelsea to battle with Real Madrid for South American star!

Lucas Silva on European giants radar

Chelsea and Manchester United to wait on Paul Pogba

Midfielder continuing talks with current club, Juventus

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